We love to go to the Temple, and we look
forward to finding new things each time we go that might deepen our
understanding of what we are being taught. Every time we have a new film I
learn so much. We went on Wednesday, the 16th, and I really had an
epiphany. For the first time, I began to understand what it means for the
Temple work to be so symbolic. Why do we dress as we do in the Temple? I’m just
guessing that we cover ourselves from head to toe with the Priesthood, and its
through the Priesthood that we are able to perform the ordinances needed to
return to our Father.
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| I guess after so many tries, you are left with the best of the lot! This is sad. |
Our Pathway class is over. On Thursday, we
watched over the classes and reviewed what we had learned for the first
semester. We started early so they could have food. It was so good. We had a
wonderful class, and it was a great way to go out. We will miss this class. We
are sad, but it is necessary. The Jepsons will be good, and they are so looking
forward to it.
Early in the day, I finished my last proctoring
of a test for one of our students from last year. What a great program, and it
is from the Lord.
On Friday, we had a wonderful experience with
the Salvation Army. We got to go help with families doing Christmas shopping.
Last spring we spent time helping this organization pack up all the toys that
were left from Christmas 2014. As we went in, Craig got to help out front
checking those who came in and directing them to the right places. I think he
also got to spend time talking to lots of those who were volunteering. I got to
line up with a grocery basket by me and then as a person came in with the
paperwork, they checked it and gave it to me to take the person shopping. The
paper had listed the number of children and their ages. I did not suggest
anything, and some of the mothers (which is all I had) knew exactly what they
were looking for as shopping. We were told that they could not ask for
anything, but several of the shoppers I saw did just that. There were some who
had been there before and were more aggressive in asking for stuff. Most of
those I worked with were really sweet, and they were very grateful for what
they got. There were some really nice gifts, many contributed by the Marine
Corps.
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| Signing in to help |
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| Preparing items to be selected |
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| This is a Marine-sponsored activity |
While there, Craig had managed to meet one of the last
survivors of the Tuskegee Airmen.. He came around and introduced me to him. I
don’t remember his name, but he was 91, and you would have thought he was no
older than 75-80. What a wonderful man, so humble, yet so strong in his love
for this country. He was grateful for what those men were capable of doing. It
took 40 years for our country to recognize their contribution and give them the
medals they deserved.
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| What a nice guy! |
One of the other men Craig introduced me to was
a member from the Kenosha Ward who was a Marine and who was helping with the
shopping experience. This was such a great program. We are proud of our work
with the Salvation Army.
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| Elder from Kenosha and a Marine to boot! hahaha |
On Sunday, we had a great Sunday program, and
then that afternoon, we went to Racine and fed the homeless like we did earlier
in the year. It was a little better organized this year, and we so enjoyed it.
I was touched by one woman who told me that she was not happy that it was
Christmas time because she would be all alone. I felt for her.
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| Elder and Sister Smith Helping |
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| Elder Jepson Getting Ready |
|
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| I'm Mixing Lemonade |
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| Getting food ready to serve |
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| Socks appear to be a necessity |
Monday found us at our final dental appointment
in Wisconsin. The dental hygienist is one I won’t miss. She loves to tell me
that I never clean my teeth correctly. I brush those little boogers 2-3 times a
day, use picks (not as much with the flossing which she hates), and am always
using mouthwash. Evidently, I’m not very good at this. It always feels so good
when she is finished, but it hurts.
We went by the Mission Office to pick up
packages for Christmas, and we left them for Christmas. We also had to take a
box to the Post Office where I was returning two skirts I had bought from a new
company called She Traveled – started by returned missionaries for sister missionaries.
Both were two big; one I didn’t like. So I returned both and asked that one be
returned to me at a smaller size – love that!!!!
Tuesday, we were off to the Temple because our
District Meeting had been changed to Wednesday at the last minute because it
was going to be a Christmas meeting. We were sad that we would miss it on
Wednesday because we were involved in the Salvation Army getting ready for the
Christmas dinner to be held on the 25th. So we were off to the
Temple and had to get back so that I could get a haircut that evening. It was
another wonderful opportunity to strengthen our testimonies of the Temple.
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| I'd say this one is better than last time. |
Have I said how much I love Christmas. We have
been so busy this month that it is hard to believe that Christmas is here
already. I love it.
Our Scripture for December: Alma 32:41
But if ye will nourish
the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow,
by your faith with great
diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the
fruit thereof, it shall take root; and
behold it shall be a tree springing up
unto everlasting life
Elder and
Sister Lenhard
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